2007-05-04 - Unlikely Teachers

According to linguist Dan Everett, in the April 16, 2007 New Yorker magazine,
the tribe has no concept of the past or the future. Their language doesn't
allow for it; there is only a present tense. The Piraha literally live in
the present. Imagine if we didn't agonize over past mistakes, nor get mired
down in bitterness. I imagine that they don't spend sleepless nights, fretting
over what lies ahead. Rather, they simply deal with the moments at hand.

This brings to mind something our Lord taught us in Matthew 6:27-34 (The
Message)

27-29 Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever
gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion
- do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions,
walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or
shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed
men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-34 If God gives such attention to the appearance of
wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don't you think he'll attend
to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied
with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God
and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how
he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.
Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns
will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and
don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help
you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

All the tribe members keep in their little homes are the bare necessities
of life - cooking utensils etc. No garages. No bonus rooms. No clutter. No
"stuff." Imagine how simple their lives, and even their deaths, would be.
No material possessions to cause divisions in families. Our Lord spoke about
this as well, in Luke 12 (NASB):

* VV. 13 - 15 Someone in the crowd said to
Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me."
14 But He said to him, " Man, who appointed Me a judge or
arbitrator over you?" 15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and
be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an
abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

* VV. 31-34 But seek His kingdom, and
these things will be added to you. Donot be afraid, little flock, for your
Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and
give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing
treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Piraha don't have much interest in possessions; unlike us, they won't
ever have to worry that their possessions actually possess them. But
unfortunately, they also haven't shown much interest in the Christian faith
thus far. But as we pray for them, we can also be thankful that they provide
poignant reminders for us of some of Christ's lessons.